It is a well-known fact that several former MasterChef winners and contestants have gone on to achieve great success. Just look at Thomasina Miers, the winner of the first ever series, who established the multi-site Wahaca chain, or Adam Handling, who now has a stable of restaurants across London.
Another chef to add to the list is Matt Healy, who was the runner up of 2016’s MasterChef: The Professionals. His restaurant, The Foundry, takes up residence at The Round Foundry just off Water Lane, which is nestled among a whole host of Grade II-listed buildings. The dining room is a casual and contemporary space, featuring exposed brick walls and a semi-open kitchen illuminated by a neon blue sign which reads ‘food to swear by’.
The menu is made up of sharing small plates which evolve with the seasons. You can kick start your meal with a helping of snacks to graze on such as truffle popcorn or sourdough bread with marmite butter and chicken dripping. Next up, you can move on to the ‘plates’, choosing a selection to enjoy as your main course – perhaps cod in curry sauce served with crispy potatoes will take your fancy, or maybe salt aged duck with cucumber and fermented plum will be the one for you.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can finish up with The Foundry’s tempting desserts; we’re talking sticky toffee pudding served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and custard tart with Yorkshire rhubarb. If you’d rather save the calories for your wine, there is also a succinct selection of four wines to choose from, alongside your usual spirits, beers and the like.
Those looking for a hearty end to the week can indulge with The Foundry’s classic Sunday roast, which sees 12-hour roasted sirloin and roast chicken served with all of the trimmings. There’s a veggie version too.